Virginia Real Estate Blog

Keep Norfolk Beautiful presents Eco-D.I.Y., a three-part series of classes designed to give simple energy-saving solutions to residents they can do themselves.  All three classes take place at the Ernie Morgan Center, located in Lafayette Park, next to the Virginia Zoo.
 
What is Biodiesel?
Wednesday, September 9th, 6-8pm
Topic: Biodiesel fuel
Speaker: Michelle Moraczewski, NoBullBiodiesel.com Fee: Free for FONE members/$3 non-members
Register by September 2nd
 
Raining in the Storm
Wednesday, October 14th, 6-8pm
Topic: Rain barrel information and construction class
Speaker: Michael Minor, Mike's Rain Barrels
Fee: $50 for FONE members/$55 non-members
Register by October 7th
 
Cool Composting
Wednesday, November 11th, 6-8pm
Topic: How-to composter building demonstration
Speaker: Tom Chabi
Fee: $7 FONE members/$10 non-members
Register by November 4th. 
 
To learn more about these classes, visit us online. Space is limited, so register early to Holly Carson at 441-1347 or holly.carson@norfolk.gov.

Homes are taking over 90 days on average to sell in our area.  On an existing listing that was first posted in the spring, I decided to withdrawal the listing during a recent price change. The photos were changed, along with the description, the virtual tour, and the photos in our database.  Because are closer to fall now than summer (can you believe its almost September?!) I really wanted a photo of the house with the trees in full bloom.  Unfortanately that means you can't see the great architectural features of the exterior. 

Here are the 2 photos.  What  do you think?

This  home for sale in Norfolk VAi s a move in ready 1912 Victorian with the great features of the era - pocket doors, picture rail, embossed radiators, maple floors, yet with updated kitchen, new sunroom, 2 car garage and more! 

Do you ever get so busy you forget there are fabulous places to see and things to do right in your own backyard? If you are like me, it takes a visit from friends or family to get you spurred on to see new things that are right next door.

I had just that opportunity this weekend. The twist is that I have been to the oceanfront at VA Beach many times, just not this summer. I don't know where the days go but here it is, mid-August and I had my first beach trip! 

Anyway I was just thrilled with the beach, the weather was great and the views lovely. If you are looking for a home, investment property, second home, vacation home, etc on the ocean, you have to consider Virginia Beach!  I am happy to help you find just the thing!

Here is a picture taken with the Blackberry. It truly was this empty, the beach is so large and flat, the dolphins were so close to shore! 

Bethany Phillips, Prudential Towne Realty and Beach Lover!

Sailing tonight on Willoughby Bay, also known as Little Bay. Norfolk (all of Hampton Roads) is a great area for water sports of all kinds and sailing is just one of them. What makes Norfolk fun? Playing on the water. The Thursday night series is broken into Spring and Summer series. The fall series is on Sundays to accommodate for the earlier evenings.

Here is our boat (sometimes referred to as the USS Bethany, formally known as FINE) on a recent Thursday.(This photo is by Dave Baxter, a local Sailmaker. He provided the MAIN for FINE!  Pretty!!!  We are lucky enough to have Dave out on most Thursdays documenting the fun and the mishaps!)

I wish the photo would have the OSPREY in it!  The osprey gets louder as the boats get closer and eventually 'sails' away to return after the mark has been rounded.

And of course, there is great opportunity for waterfront property in Norfolk and Hampton Roads. Great for investment or summer vacations!

Just did some preparing for a listing appointment. I wanted to have some information available on market time for this potential listing. I took a look at recent sales and current listings to determine some estimated absorption rates for this particular property...

This is an area of GHENT in Norfolk VA. It is a great residential area, close to shops, downtown, dining, schools, etc.  The information from my analysis varies depending on criteria used - no surprise there! 

Looking broadly in GHENT Norfolk VA, there are about 132 homes for sale including single family detached and attached. In the past 6 months, 64 homes have sold for a 6 month month rate of about 10 per month.  That means, simple math here, that it will be about 13 months before all homes are sold in my selected area.

Since the above review was broad, I wanted to highlight the exact zipcode for this property.  In 23507, there are 39 attached single family homes for sale and 71 total homes for sale. Looking at the totals, 39 are pending or sold in 6 months with a target rate then of 6.5 homes per month. With 71 homes to sell, that is about 11 months to absorb the current listings.

For just the attached listings, 22 have been pending or sold in 6 months for a rate of 3.66 homes sold per month. With 39 current listings, the absorption of those homes could take 10 or 11 months. 

This is food for thought for my potential sellers.  The key will be to price it right from the start!

www.buyanorfolkhome.com

There is so much buzz out there about the First Time Home Buyer Program I wanted to share a link to a great information source.  Start with this website, then contact your lender to learn more about your particular situation. If you are in the Hamton Roads Real Estate market or searching for a home in cities like Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, or Suffolk, I would be happy to provide contact information for local lenders. 

Dont forget, some cities offer their own home buyers programs and some programs may offer even better opportunities than the first time home buyer credit. You wont know until you ask! 

Start with this site:  http://www.realtor.org/home_buyers_and_sellers/2009_first_time_home_buyer_tax_credit?lid=ronav0019

Then, call me for more information on homebuying in Hampton Roads!  I am happy to help!

I had so much fun helping my clients sell their first home and purchase their 'move up / forever' home!  This lovely family had certainly outgrown the 1600 square foot cape cod in Norfolk!  Their home for 8 years, they welcomed 2 children to the house and made many improvements such as a new kitchen that  suited them, and the house, perfectly. That home has now become the first home for a Navy lieutent and his fiancee. I wish them the best!

The home purchase in Chesapeake is a delight!  New construction in the Great Bridge area on a quiet street with a large yard for the children!  I can't wait to see it all dressed up and personalized by the family. 

If you, or someone you know, is looking to sell or buy a home, please contact me!   I can help buyers or sellers in Hampton Roads with Real Estate needs in Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, or Portsmouth!  I look forward to hearing from you!

I had a great walk last night through the Norfolk Botanical Gardens! It was a picture perfect day with low humidity, low heat, and evening clouds.  The eaglets were out as were the flowers on the Crepe Myrtle trees, rose bushes, wildflowers in the Native Garden and more!  A must see this time of year. Here is a bad, cell phone camera photo of the rose garden.   

If you are moving to Norfolk or anywhere in the area, consider a membership to the gardens. They have bike rides, full moon hikes, flower sales, wonderful walking paths, and other events that make this a go-to spot any time of year. 

Special thanks to my client (now friend) who joined me on the walk!  It is one year exactly that she and her husband arrived in town to search for a home!  What a great neighborhood they chose - Brigadoon in Virginia Beach. If you want to search for a home in Hampton Roads cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, or Suffolk, I am happy to help! 

Great historic area of Norfolk.  Charm of the age with modern amenities!

Wood floors, decorative fireplace, lots of windows. 

Central AIR, HEAT.  Dishwasher, Washer Dryer.

Pay for electric and Cable  - water sewer trash recycyling included in rent!

Updated Bath.

Downstairs unit with lots of space!  1400 Square feet or more.  Great front porch. 

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/apa/1223948513.html

Licensed Real Estate agent in Virginia!

During a recent brokers open house I took the opportunity to ask the agents what the seller of my Norfolk VA home for sale should do about the color of the paint in the living room.  Though almost all agreed that the color scheme was not offensive, they also suggested it could be a deterrent for a potential buyer. Many buyers do not want to go into a property knowing they need to tackle a large project such as removing wallpaper.  Here is the original color scheme.

The seller chose a neutral tone for the living room. What a difference!  The room looks and feels much larger, less cavernous. See the property for sale in Norfolk VA area of Hampton Roads at http://www.1603stdenis.info or http://www.1603stdenis.com.  So, to all of the agents out there that have a house that hasn't sold.... take another look around the property... A small inexpensive change could make a big difference!

This living room is just one of the many fine rooms in this 3200 square foot home with updated kitchen, gorgeous sunroom, large yard, 2 car garage, full basement and more! See it today!

Bethany Phillips, Prudential Towne Realty  757 217 4200

http://www.buyanorfolkhome.com or http://www.bethanyphillips.com